What is a diptych?

Carol Norton · 05-13-2006, 04:44 PM

I would greatly appreicate a clear and complete definition of the term "diptych". From context and observation of both Linda Brandon's and Linda Nelson's diptychs, I see what they look like, but are there ever 3 or more in a grouping? I also understand that they can be complete compositionally and in background when taken together as well as apart. Is there more to the term than what I know?

Richard Monro · 05-13-2006, 07:21 PM

Carol,
A diptych is any two plates, paintings etc. joined by a hinge. A triptych are three such items joined by hinges.

Steven Sweeney · 05-13-2006, 08:11 PM

My impression has been -- I have a triptych in mind and will try to hunt it down to post --that the parts are not merely related in content but draw upon each other for their aesthetic value, that no one part could be separated from the other parts without losing something that is significant to the whole. And yet no one part is deficient artistically or aesthetically in its own right.

Carol Norton · 05-14-2006, 11:56 AM

Thank you for taking the time to respond, Richard and Steven. Your information helped to clarify the term. I have been thinking about doing a diptych but didn't want to offer that to a client when I didn't truly understand the meaning of the term.

Carlos Ygoa · 05-14-2006, 06:17 PM

Carol,
To add to what has already been said, the diptych and the triptych were originally designs for altarpieces; the first being comprised of two panels of identical size hinged together (as stated above), and the second being made up of 3 panels--the 2 flanking the central one each being half the size of the central one in such a manner that allowed the altarpeice to be closed somewhat like a closet would close. There was usually a design on the "verso" of each of the lateral panels, either carved or painted.

Carlos